Sound attachment for toy locomotives



Dec. 6, 1932.

R. HOWSER, JR SOUND ATTACHHENT FOR TOY LOCOMOTIVES Filed May 23, 1932 m RN.

Om w RN m NW NW mm MN. 8 MN Patented Dec. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY R. HOWSER, JR, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, I ASSIGNOR TO THE LIONEL GORPOBAATION,,OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SOUND ATTACHMENT FOR TOY. LOCOMOTIVES Application filed May 23,

This invention relates to sounding wheeled toys particularly to toy steam type locomotives.

An object of the invention is the provision in a toy steam type locomotive of electrically operated means for simulating the pufiing sound produced by steam exhausting from the cylinders of a steam locomotive while in motion.

Another object of the invention is the provision of electrically operated sound producing means in an electrically driven toy steam type locomotive which derives its operating current from the track supply that drives the to A further object of the invention is to provide means on a toy steam type locomotive for intermittently opening and closing the operating circuit for an electrically operated sound producing means in synchronism with the speed of the locomotive.

A still further object of the invention is to provide electro-magnetic sound producing means in a toy steam type electrically driven locomotive that is operated from the track supply either by alternating or direct current.

Other objects will, from the description, be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure constitutes an exposition of an embodiment of the invention, and illus trates the best means I have thus far devised for reducing the invention to practice. It is to be understood that the structural details shown and described shall not constitute limi- 35 tations inconsistent with the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a longitudinal section through an electrical toy steam locomotive, with the sounding, apparatus shown 40 in elevation.

Figure 2 is substantially a section through the sounding apparatus.=

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In its broad aspects the invention comprises the combination with a toy steam type 1000-.

motive, of electrically operated sound pro ducing means simulating the sound of exhaust steam. The sound producing means is intermittently operable through the momenrail 13 to establish one side of the line, the

1932. Serial No. 613,084.

tary closing of its operating circuit by a make and break circuit closer actuated from a mem ber movable in synchronism with the speed.

of the locomotive. More specifically its use 1s on an electrically driven toy locomotive wherein the sound producing means derives its operating current from a track source supplying the locomotive motor. 7

In the embodiment disclosedlO indicate the metal body of a toy steam locomotive adapted to be propelled along a track by-an electric motor, not shown, in the motor housing 11. A contact shoe 1-2 electrically connected with the motor travels along a third' other being. completed through the frame, wheels and rails, one of which is shown at 14. Within-the body 10 is mounted the soundproducing apparatus which comprises a dished circular metal casing 15 attached to one end of a magnet core 16 secured in an upright position to a supporting spindle 17 insulated with respect to and suitably anchored in a bracket 18 provided on the body. A horn element 19 is attached to the casing in a manner to localize sound through the open smokestack member 20 of the locomotive. Within the casing 15 and loosely seated therein is a diaphragm 21 having a balled central mem-- ber 22 resting on the casing bottom whereby the diaphragm may be rocked under the magnetic attraction 'ofthe core 16; the point of ,phragm 23 and passed loosely through both diaphragms and the bottom of the casing, through apertures provided therein for the purpose. Pin 24 extends beneath the bottom wall of the casing and carries adjacent its lower end a metal washer 25 fixed to the fpin and providing an abutment for one end 0 an expansion spring 26 surrounding the shank of the pin with its other end bearing against the casing bottom. The pin is so located that its pull, under action of the ring 26, influences the diaphragm assemb y in diametric opposition to the magnetic pull of the core 16 when energized.

The core 16 of the magnet is wound with a coil 27 whereof one lead wire 28 connects with a spring finger contact 29 insulated from and supported by that part of the locomotive body which slmulates a steam chest and cylinder. The other lead wire 30 from the magnet coil is connected, where direct current track supply systems are employed, to a metal bracket 31 insulated from and supported by the bottom of easing 15. This bracket carries a screw thread adjustable contact point '32 axially aligned with pin 24 of which the lower end constitutes the other contact point of an interrupter where,- in the metal pin and metal spring 26 electrically connect with the casing 15. Casing 15 is provided with a terminal connector 33 whence a wire 34 leads to one terminal 35 of the control switch. The other terminal 36 of the control switch is connected through wire Where alternating current is utilized to 37 with the contact shoe 12. operate the locomotive, as in the majority of instances it will be, the interrupter is cut out by closing switch 38 in a shunt line 39 connecting magnet lead 30 with wire 34. In case adaptation of the device to direct current is not a requirement, bracket 31 and its contact point 32 maybe dispensed with and the lead wire 30 from the magnet placed in permanent connection with wire 34 to the control switch.

The spring contact finger 29 has a portion disposed in the path of travel of a movable metal member 40 which is intermittently wiped across the contact finger through means operated from or by a wheel or axle of the locomotive, member 40 being thus grounded to the rails 14. In the disclosed embodiment this is accomplished through wiping contact of the to connecting rod 40 which in this type of ocomotive reciprocates from the cross-head 41.

In operation on a direct current track supply system the closing of contacts 35 and 36 on closing movement of the control switch establishes a circuit from rail 13 through contact shoe' 12, wire 37, contacts 35 and 36, wire 34 and terminal 33 to the metal casing 15 of the sounding apparatus. From casing 15 the circuit is continued through sprin 26, metal washer 25 and pin 24, throu h a utting interrupter contact point 32, wire 30 through magnet coil 27 and wire 28 to the s ring contact finger 29.

As t e locomotive moves the connecting rod contact 40 wipes back and forth across finger 29 intermittently completing the circuit-through the locomotive body and wheels to rails 14.

Upon complete closing of the circuit the magnet core 16 is energized to attract diais shunted by racket 31 and phragms 21 and 23 which rock on ball 22 to pull pin 24 away from its contact with the point 32 thus interrupting the circuit to deenergize core 16 and permit spring 26 to reestablish the circuit by moving pin 24 back into contact with point 32, rocking the diaphragms-away from magnet core 16. This action continues as long as the circuit is closed at 29-40, providing an interrupter which causes a rapid actuation of the diaphragms in a manner which produces a sound simulating the exhaust of steam from the cylinder of a locomotive in motion.

In an alternating current track supply system the circuit is as previously described except that the interrupter, being unnecessary, closing switch 38.

It will be noted that the construction shown herein employs a plurality of loosely held discs or diaphragms, at least one of which is susceptible to magnetic influence and is in the field of the intermittently energized coil. WVhen the coil attracts and then releases these discs there is a mechanicalclashing of the discs, thereby producing a sound which is considerably difi'erent from the sound produced by a buzzer, b a vibrating diaphragm such as in a telep one receiver, or by a motor driven or magnetically operated automobile horn. Such diaphragms are rigidly held and emit a more true harmonic sound than is the case where a violent clashing is .set up by the rattling of free discs of the type shown herein. This rattling and clashing'of the discs produces the sound which more closely simulates the escape of exhaust steam and the exhaust of a steam locomotive is realistically produced.

The contact 40 on the end of the toy connecting rod and reciprocable within the limitation steam chest from movement of the cross head 41 driven by the wheels of the locomotive, synchronizes the circuit control with respect to the speed of the locomotive. There is a direct analogy between this arrangement of parts and the exhaust steam control of a locomotive. Consequently the ratio of contact to operate the sound reproducing means will vary in direct proportion to the speed of the locomotive and the sound simulating the exhaust of steam will be correctly timed at all speeds.

I claim:

- 1. The combination with a toy steam type locomotive, of electrically operated sound producing means simulating exhaust of steam from the cylinders of a locomotive in motion, an operating circuit therefor, and means for intermittently closing said circuit in timed relation to the speed of the locomotive.

2. In an electrically driven toy steam type locomotive, electro-magnetic sounding means for simulatin the exhaust of steam, an electrical circuit mcludin said sounding means, and means controlle from a movable element of the locomotive for intermittently opening and closin said circuit.

3. A sound pr ucing attachment for toy steam type locomotives, comprisin an electrically operable sounder for sim ating the exhaust of Steam, 9. switch movable to o n of the locomotive to intermittently engage said fixed contact for closing said operating circuit for the sounding means.

5. In combination, a toy steam t locomotive having a member reciprocab e therein as the locomotive moves, electrically operof steam from the cylinders of a locomotive in motion, an operating circuit therefor, and means whereb said circuit is intermittently closed by sai reciprocable member during its movement.

6. The combination with an electrically driven toy steam type locomotive, of electrically operated sound producing means operable to simulate exhaust of steam from cylinders of a locomotive in motion, an operating circuit for the same, a single source of current supply for driving the locomotive and operating the sound producin means and a make and break contact in t e soun producing circuit operable by a moving part of the locomotive in timed relation to the speed thereof.

7. The combination with a toy steam type locomotive, of electrically operated sound producin means, an operating circuit for the same, an means for automatically and intermittently making and breaking said circuit to simulate the intermittent sound of exhaust of steam from thecyli'nders of a locomotive.

8. The combination with an electricall driven toy steam type locomotive, of electr1-' cally operated sound producing means, an operating circuit for the same, a single source of current supply for driving the locomotive and operating t e sound producin -means, and means for automatically and mtermittently making and breakingthe sound producing circuit to simulate the intermittent sound of exhaust of steam from the cylinders of a locomotive.

9. The combination with a toy steam type locomotive adapted to be driven from a track current supply, electrically, operated sound producing means for simulating exhaust of steam from cylinders of a locomotive in motion, an operating circuit for said sound producing means receiving its current from the track suppl ,and-said operating circuit includin an iziterrupter and a selectively operable unt circuit whereby the sound producer can be operated by either direct or alternating current.

10. The combination with a toy steam type locomotive, of sound producing means including closely spaced separate substantially free diaphrggms, and electrically operated means to rapi y vibrate said diaphragms to simulate the sound of exhaust steam from the cylinders of a locomotive.

11. The combination with a toy steam type locomotive, of sound producing means including a plurality of loosely held superposed discs, and means to rapidly vibrate said .discs to cause a mechanical clashing thereof producing non-harmonic vibrations simulatin the soundof exhaust steam from the cylin ers of a locomotive.

12. The combination with a toy steam type locomotive having an intermittently enerated soundingmeans for simulating exhaust-- gized coil, of sound producing means including a plurality of oosely held superposed diaphragms, and at least one of said diahragms being susceptible to magnetic inuen'ce and disposed in the field of the coil to cause rapid vibration and mechanical clashing of the diaphragms to simulate the sound of exhaust steam from the cylinders of a locomotive.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY R. HOWSER, J u. 

